Monday, October 29, 2012

So, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, there are times when I pull a pair of shoes out of the deepest recesses of my Shoe Arsenal, thoroughly inspect them, try them on and as I look at my reflection in the mirror, I silently think to myself, 'What the #$%@ was I thinking?' And this morning is one of those times!

The price tag on these unworn sandal reads that I purchased them from the clearance section at JC Penney's. They had been marked down to $9.99 from a staggering $39.99. And of course, I bought these in the pewter and their color complement in bronze.

But for the life of me, I cannot recall the last time I ever stepped foot into a Penney's department store; I haven't visited one since my return, nearly a year and a half ago, so I go back five years...I wouldn't have bought them before we moved to Italy, so now I'm counting back 6 years. Six years is a long time to have a pair of shoes and not wear them. And I am figuring, what most attracted me to these shoes is what repels me -the heel. So off they go, hopefully to a better home, where someone can wear them and hopefully wear them out. Fare-thee -well, my beauties!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog for this Shoe-Stopper of a post!

Shoe-A-Holics...if you do not already own a platform peep-toe slingback pump, you need to go out and get yourself a pair! Oooh weee, these are some sexy stems!

You know suede is my luxe fabric of the fall, and on this breezy but not cool morning, it is the perfect fall accessory...and here's why: 1) It's towering heel paired with this high-waisted suede mini, gives this glamazomgams for days, 2) The slingback style is a sexy alternative to a sandal on warm days and additionally, is a non-stuffy alternative to the closed-heel pump, yet it is conservative enough for the office, and 3) The peep-toe ups the flirty factor and allows me to wear one of the season's hottest colors (oxblood), in a demure way (on my nails)...perfetto!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Last weekend, these fabulous booties took me to outer space! Not really, but they did take me to a place which is as close to the final frontier as one can get with feet are still planted on Terrafirma -Stargazing!

My fascination with celestial bodies began, oddly enough, while I was in basic training some years ago. After 4 am reveille, and a mad rush to get dressed and make it through one's morning ablutions, there wasn't much else to do while standing in formation on the grinder (the place just outside the barracks where we put in formation) at four-thirty on a cold Wisconsin morning, while your Recruit Division Commander (RDC), due to lack of sleep, sheer delight in terrorizing recruits or just pissed off at the world (the last of which was quite common) or perhaps a combination of all three, stood, just inside the doorway in the warm barracks corridor and waiting until 5 am when the chow hall officially opened and we were walked to breakfast; so in the cold, solitary moment of repose, I looked up, and as I did, beneath my recruit ball cap, I saw three stars...all in a row, that were somewhat closer than all the others in the sky. And over the next six months as I stood, morning after morning in that very spot, and the Earth and night sky with all into wondrous bodies shifted around me, I felt at peace; even when I was called away for my father's unexpected passing.

Sailors have always had a strong affinity towards those twinkling, luminous points in far off darkness. They would chart there course by the stars -to wherever it was they were destined to go, and then again, to return home. The children are each named after a constellation, so that if they ever got lost or felt like they were wandering through this journey we call life, they could look to their constellation, and always find their way back home.

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Me & Kevin of the OAA

Me & Dave of the OAA
Yes, his eyes are closed because he didn't want the flash
to disrupt his night time vision!

On the Thursday on or about the last quarter moon, amateur astronomers from the Oglethorpe Astronomical Association (OAA)'bring astronomy to the public'. Free to those who come out, they set up their personal telescopes allowing fellow stargazers to peer into the great beyond. Our night of watching heavenly bodies began with Dav whose telescope was directed towards the crescent moon. Our next stop was Dave (who built the two telescopes he brought. I was hopeful, briefly at the thought of building my own telescope, until Dave had mentioned it was, "Much like following a recipe when you cook," in reference to assembling his own telescopes. My hope turned to despair when I told him that I start out with the recipe, but when I get half-way through and realize I don't have all the ingredients, I substitute with something else. Dave said that I should probably buy a telescope instead!). He showed us the following (I am obliged to tell you, that these are pictures I pulled off the web, although I saw these images in the scope, no pictures were taken):

I bought these boots early in 2011 from Amazon.com (at the time they had the best price and size; I like to size up in closed-toe shoes by Steve Madden otherwise I do feel a pinch!). I read the reviews carefully, and in spite of the dire warning that these beauties were extremely slippery (they needn't be wet), I bought them. One review jokingly wrote that at least when you fall, you'll look good doing so; that warning I should have heeded, because the first time I wore these, I was in Monaco, and as I was crossing the street in front of the Paris Cafe, I nearly took a nasty spill; I noticed at the time the heel had completely off the boot. I have since had them re-heeled and non-slip pads added by a local cobbler!

With a chilly night in the forecast, layering is key! You can achieve a warm affect without having to bundle-up the first sign of frost. I wore a corduroy mini (Old Navy) over tights I bought at the market, and a wool blend tunic (also from the market) over a long tank (Target). This blanket sweater I got at Old Navy last year when they had 75% off sweaters Thanksgiving weekend. It is quite bulky, so I belted it up with another market find. The purple and pewter purse is from Target.com! SN

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Are these any Shoe-A-Holics out there in the world of shoes enjoying this nice weather besides me? No complaints here, these added days of warmth allow me to wear many things which, during the summer heat, I didn't get to wear. Case in point: these sandals and dress.

One of my favorite trends for warm spring days and cooling summer nights (which was next to impossible here...some nights bottomed out at 80 degrees with close to 100 percent humidity), is a maxi dress; but not just any dress, but the ridiculously long, floor sweeping maxi. I love the illusion of added height it gives me, but due to my vertical impairment, I need some pretty high sandals to compensate for the hem of the dress. And these maddies fit the bill!

Strong and sturdy, with just a touch of gladiator chic, I'm off to enjoy another summer indulgence: a caramel frappuccino*!

Held in the charming and eclectic historic district of Bluffton SC, which is well known for its quirky art community and natural river beauty, the festival is a week long event offering a myriad of activities, showcasing the locally harvested seafood, delicious Low Country cuisine, rich history, culture and art of the area and Southern hospitality found only in Bluffton.*

With one of Bluffton's quaint little streets lined with tents housing local artisans, the festival invited us into a makeshift art gallery for our eyes to feast upon.

Check out some of the displays we encountered from the 100+ artists at the festival.
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And as we ate, we were entertained by Bam Jazz playing songs by Satchmo and Cab Calloway. Comprised of some of the finest musicians in the Carolinas, the group is billed primarily as a jazz, blues and Cajun, but their experience goes far beyond. All of the members are seasoned studio musicians and concert performers who have worked with some of the top names in the industry.**

Upon the recommendation of a couple where we had lunch, we strolled the streets of this bay side town and came across this church that was established in the 18th Century.

This beautiful little church, situated at the the end of Calhoun St. (the same street that was lined with tents and vendors), was perched above the bay and boasted this breathtaking view. So, the children ditched their bicycles instead for a boat ride with puppy!﻿

Friendly people, great food and a welcoming environment... I think I may have found a new coastal getaway!

Here is my review of these shoes I posted on DSW. I gave these boots 5 out 5 for both style and comfort!

"I thought I had hit the jackpot last year with my MIA Pampa wedge booties. Unmatched comfort and style, I bought all three colors and was in heaven…that is until, I found these MIA Brisk booties! The rich Olive green color and the faux laced-up vamp enticed me, but it was the convenient ankle zip that had me sold.
The 3-inch wedge with the lug sole is the perfect height and ultimate in stability; I strolled a few miles over a few hours in these booties: through the streets (both paved and unpaved) of a festival, over cobblestone paths and even across dampened grass to get to a boat landing, and I have no complaints!
They fit true to size (every pair of MIA shoes I have bought are the same size in both length and width, and I never need to size up for MIA boots) and are extremely comfortable. These are definitely my new favorite pair of booties, and I highly recommend them!"
SN